Anacortes Sister Cities Association 

Newsletter

DECEMBER, 2006

From the President

By Duane Clark

There's Just Something About...

Often, I shake my head in wonder regarding the events and experiences that our intrepid group of ASCA folks are up to. Either we haven't figured out how to avoid such things, or we simply get a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from doing things that result in a rich cultural ex­perience and the making of new international friends.

There's just something about the mission of ASCA that keeps us coming back for more.

There's just something about this group of folks that makes us want to explore more and more creative ways to enlighten our international peace seeking relationships.

There's just something about the energy and motivation of the leaders of this band that continues to motivate me. Are these folks always in agreement? Not always. Are there different opinions about policy and process? Indeed.! Is that a good thing? Absolutely! Is everything we attempt to do successful? Not exactly! Are all of ASCA's leaders driven to make ASCA more successful? Beyond a doubt, there's just something about this group.

There's just something about ASCA's members who continue to have faith in our mission, and our leaders who continue to contribute in so many ways to ensure success, and who are proud ambassadors of ASCA at home and in foreign lands.

There's just something about our Mayor and City Council who gladly continue to provide our official nest. Of course, it is more than just official support, with some joining us for functions and travel.

There's just something about the wonderful cast of characters around the world with whom we've become as close as family.

There's just something about the notion that 2007 offers more of the delight, joy, fun, stimulation, and challenge that we've experienced in 2006 and before.

So, as I've said before, BYSB, and get ready for another great ride.

Christmas Parade

Hi, Folks:

It seems that the weather has created some "Parade Havoc" this year. If you have not heard, the folks in Sidney had to cancel, then reschedule their parade, and our faithful ASCA repre­sentatives endured power outages as well as the "Parade Outage."

The Sidney Sister Cities folks who were coming to Anacortes for our parade decided that the weather unknowns seemed to indicate that travel to Anacortes didn't make sense, so they are not coming this way.

That being the case, we've decided that ASCA will wait until next year as well. I hope you are able to attend the parade, but for this one, there will be no official ASCA entry. See you at our December 7 ASCA Dinner in the Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Duane

From the Vice President

By John Lovric

It has been a busy year and particularly a busy summer. I can't believe how much we have accomplished. We had students from Croatia here in early summer; there were fund raisers and language courses for the four students we sent to Croatia; My family and I went to Italy, Greece, and Croatia, and arrived back in time for the golf tournament. If that wasn't enough for you to swallow, we were still in the final stages of planning for hosting the 34 member Kumpanija and Klapa groups, which, I might add, was an impressive finish to a long summer.

As a part of the Vela Luka committee, I was very involved in all of our exchanges, particularly with the Kumpanija performances. It took a lot of planning and I thank everyone for your patience in this process. It can be a little overwhelming when you are being asked questions from about 60 different people. Sometimes I didn't know if I was speaking Croatian or English.

We are always thinking of different projects to do, and the rich culture of Croatia has a lot to offer. I haven't forgotten about the display in the council chambers. We are in the process of refreshing the glass cases and the decor on the walls. This will be an ongoing project, which we hope will show off our active organization and keep things fresh in the public eye.

Vela Luka

By Nikki Louric Vela Luka ASCA Chair

WOW! That word sums up my whole summer! All I can say is that I am so proud to be a part of the Anacortes Sister Cities Association... This year has gone by too fast and when Duane Clark said to fasten our seatbelts I didn't realize I would be going 200 mph!  

The summer started for my family with a trip to Italy, Greece & Croatia. It lead us on a quick trip to Vela Luka (too quick). We met & finalized some plans for Kumpanija & Klapa'Anacortes. After a short 3 day visit we returned with five of Vela's Luka's students. Nina Andreis, Ivana Gugic, Jan Nypl, Ante Borovina & Ivana Ljubic. Their three week visit was just as awesome as all the rest. We made it to the waterslides in Birch Bay, stayed in a penthouse suite, visited Seattle, had a car wash, etc...

As soon as that trip was over we sent our first four American students to Vela Luka for a visit. Steven Hudak, Brianna Bikker, Sonja Kassa & Krys Lijek. They had such a good time that they did not want to come home. I certainly understand that! The beaches, the food, the people, what an amazing experience!

In September we welcomed 34 performers from Vela Luka (and one that lives in Australia). Let me tell you that this was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! The performances were absolutely astounding. As soon as the bubnjar (drummer, Ivan Bajat) started to play it instantly sent chills up my spine! Then the Misnjicar (bag pipe, Hrvoje Marinovic) started playing and more chills! Then all the handsome men started to march in, there was never a dry eye in the house! The members of Klapa Vela Luka with their pure beautiful voices made me tear up every time. I wanted to come home in their suitcases so I could hear their beautiful voices again. I would like to thank all of you who were involved in this trip & tour. There are so many people to thank & I don't want to forget anyone so I won't attempt to list everyone's name. To my committee, the homestays, all the numerous volunteers, drivers, ASCA members, Kumpanija, Klapa Vela Luka, Mafrina, Directors of all ensembles, Guest performers of the Pacific Northwest, and more, I thank you for your patience, time & energy. All that you did has shown what Sister Cities is truly capable of and that is GREATNESS!

I ask you all to prepare for some FUNdraising activities in 2007.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Kisakata

By Cora Lijek, Kisakata  ASCA Chair

On Thursday, July 27, twelve students (Erin Dolan, Dana Garrett, Jenny Ives, Maika Mattson, Kirsten Mullen, Bettina Patterson, Jillian Whitney, Michael Giacalone, David Jonas, Zach Purcer, Anders Rodin, Schlegel), four chaperones (Cora, Kecia Fox, Dawn Greenfield, Rob MacKay) and six adult travelers (Judy Cohn, Sam Gebala, Brian Geer, Elaine Oliphant, David Rapella, Joy Walter) headed for Kisakata Town and Nikaho City via Seoul, Korea.

After a very restful and pleasant overnight stay in Seoul, the group arrived in Akita, where they were picked up by the host family students, the Sister City Association officials, and Nikaho City officials. The group was warmly welcomed at a potluck in the Community Center.

While in Kisakata Town, the group visited Nikaho City Hall, seeing the two small western red cedars given by Anacortes, the display cases with photos of Anacortes visitors, city offices, and the city council chambers. The adults also met with Mayor Yokoyama and city officials. Councilman Brian Geer was the official representative of the City of Anacortes and ASCA. Brian presented a painting by Anne Martin McCool from the Anacortes Sister Cities Association to Nikaho City.

The Mayor presented gifts from the City to each of the adult visitors. The group also visited the middle school, where the students were busy in their various clubs, including kendo, basketball, art, softball, etc. Our students performed a "foot dance" to "Footloose." Zach and Anders gave a juggling demonstration, and Kirsten sang a beautiful old Negro spiritual song. A school music group sang several songs for us.

On August 3, our students, students from Shawnee, Oklahoma (the sister city of Nikaho Town), and Kisakata Middle School students got together for some fun activities. Following was the ten year ceremony in front of City Hall where Mayor Yokoyama spoke and Brian Geer read a message from Mayor Dean Maxwell to the City of Nikaho commemorating the ten year relationship between Kisakata and Anacortes.

After the speeches, a monument was unveiled by Mayor Yokoyama, Councilman Brian Geer, and students Erin Dolan and Hatsumi Sato. The monument consists of two leaves holding a rainbow, representing the bridge between our two cities, and is inscribed with messages from Mayor Yokoyama and Mayor Maxwell.

The group also spent some time at the beach where the water was warm, and visited local sites including the TDK Museum, Shirase- Antarctic Exploration Memorial Museum, Kanmanji Temple, Kisakata Museum, and the Children's Ferrite and Science Museum.

We also visited Akita where the group was delighted by the Kanto lantern festival, Nishi­monai where homes and businesses opened their doors to display indigo dyed dancing kimonos, Yuzawa with it large painted lantern festival, and Kakunodata with its many old samurai homes. This wonderful trip ended with a farewell party at which the Taiko drummers entertained us and David Rapella put on a magic show. The group departed Kisakata on August 10, having rekindled old friendships and made new friends.

The Kisakata Committee is now processing middle school student applications for the next student exchange to begin in January. About 20 applications have been received, so the Committee will have a big job selecting the 12 students who will participate in the exchange. Interviews will be held on December 3 at the library.

Secretary

By Jo Fuqua ASCA Secretary

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE! Our December "meeting' will be a Holiday Dinner on December 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Senior Center (reservations required). Our wonderful hospitality Chair/Cook, David Rapella, will prepare the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Those members attending should bring a "covered dish" consisting of dessert, salad, or vegetable, and $5.00 each.

There will be fundraising items available for sale, including our ASCA Cookbooks, Kumpanija T-shirts, Klapa CDs, Kumpanija DVDs, as well as Croatian ornaments and goodies. Any of these items would make a great Christmas present.

Diane Davidson, Our Membership Chairperson, will be accepting membership fees for 2007. It is important to collect them early so an appropriate budget can be developed early in the year. As a reminder, here are the membership categories:

One time only (for life):

Patron, Individual, $300;

Patron, Family, $500.

Annual memberships include the following:

Individual Sustaining* $85;

Family Sustaining,* $150;

Individual, $25;

Family, $35; Youth (to 21) $15;

Organization, $35;

Business, $50.

*Sustaining members and Patrons can enjoy ASCA meals without paying the $5 fee.

Lose Your Coat?

Someone left their gray, size LG SPEEDO coat at the November 2 ASCA general membership meeting. I have it, and whoever owns it needs it. Please email me and let me know if it is yours....Jo   fuqua4@comeast.net

Membership

Diane Davidson, ASCA Membership Chair

Hello ASCA Members! This is the time to renew our dues; we hope you will be joining us for another exciting year! I will be collecting dues at our December, January & February meetings...the deadline for payment is February 15th. Your prompt payment helps us in planning our budget for next year's activities; thanks for your help in meeting our deadline!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Croatian Holiday Items are on sale:

Ornaments $10

Kumpanija T-Shirts $15

Klapa Vela Luka CD's $20

Kumpanija Brodniak Show DVD $15

Chocolate Bars $4

Cookies $6

New Years Eve 2006  December 31st at the Depot.

$30.adults. A delicious menu, Croatian entertainment, dancing & absolute FUN!

March 17th- St Josephs Day. Sveti Josipa is the patron Saint to our sister city of Vela Luka.

We will celebrate this day with dinner, dancing & live Croatian entertainment.

Trip to Lomonosov & Vela Luka September 2007- Call Nikki 293-8530 for details

SEE YOU AT THE DINNER. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Next Membership Meeting

Thursday, December 7
6:30 p.m., Anacortes Senior Center

Holiday Dinner

(Reservations required)